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	Far-right extremism "a real threat" says UK security minister by Fundamental Rights Agency & agencies   Far-right extremism "a real threat" says UK security minister. (BBC)   In a speech, Mr Brokenshire said one in 10 cases referred to a government radicalisation reduction scheme now concerned the far right. He condemned groups such as the English Defence League (EDL) for "inflaming tensions" with ethnic minorities. Downing Street has added far-right extremism to its anti-terror strategy. Speaking to experts at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence in London, the minister for security said that, while not as well structured as Islamic terror groups such as Al Qaeda, the terror threat posed was valid.   Mr Brokenshire said: "The far-right threat is not as widespread or systematic... and operationally there are vast differences. "But... at its core the far-right appeals to people who share many of the same vulnerabilities as those exploited by Al Qaeda-inspired extremism. It feeds off the same sense of alienation and questions around identity. "It has the same ambition to reshape the world in an impossible way. The threat is real, and our response must be effective."   He added that in 2011, some 17 people were in British prisons for terror offences associated with the far-right movement. EDL protest in Tower Hamlets in 2011 Mr Brokenshire said Whitehall needed to understand whether EDL marches acted as far-right recruitment grounds. They included Terence Gavan, a former British National Party (BNP) member, who was jailed for 11 years in 2010 after 50 explosive devices and more than 30 guns were found in his concealed room in Batley, West Yorkshire.   The government has added far-right extremism to its Prevent anti-terrorism strategy, including the Channel programme, which uses combined work by local agencies to identify individuals at risk of being drawn into terrorism. Some 10% of Channel cases now involve individuals motivated by far-right ideologies.   In addition, Mr Brokenshire said Britain was hoping to learn from its European partners "many of whom have had even graver difficulties with far-right Extremist groups". The security minister was scathing of group such as the EDL, saying he "utterly condemns the actions of the so-called defence leagues and their off-shoots". He went on: "We utterly condemn the offensive, anti-Muslim messages they promote. They are divisive, and run contrary to the values of respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. "Our response has been based on firm and clear opposition by central and local government, and effective policing of their demonstrations.. where necessary, the home secretary has banned marches."   He added that more needed to be understood about whether marches by groups such as the EDL acted as "recruiting grounds" for far-right extremists.   21/03/2013   International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Austerity is no excuse for racism. (FRA)   The social fallout from the ongoing global economic crisis must not become an excuse to allow racism and prejudice to go unchecked, said Morten Kjaerum, Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and Eva Smith Asmussen, Chair of the Council of Europe"s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), in a joint statement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.   Racism and discrimination have continued and in some places even increased, despite numerous national laws and international treaties prohibiting them. These include the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and the EU’s Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, as well as a large body of commitments made by OSCE participating states.   “It is a sad truth that violence, discrimination and hate crimes directed against ethnic minorities and migrants remain a daily reality throughout the European Union,” said Morten Kjaerum of FRA. “But these people bring a diversity to our societies that we know to be a driver not only for social change, but also for economic growth. This is an abundance of untapped potential that we would be ill-advised to ignore.”   The skills and talents of members of minorities in our societies – whether they are citizens of the countries in which they live or more recent migrants – need to be acknowledged, and furthermore to be better utilised. A proactive approach that appreciates diversity while furthering integration would help to reduce racial discrimination and increase security, as well as helping to boost growth.   “Periods of severe economic downturn can result in greater social exclusion, which often leads to a search for scapegoats – and it is then minorities who are often the first to suffer,” said Janez Lenarčič of ODIHR. “In addressing these problems, ODIHR has recently enhanced its police-training programmes and continues to highlight incidents and responses to them in its annual report on hate crimes.”   In the countries most affected by the consequences of the economic crisis, there has been an increase in the appeal of extremist parties that are rooted in a profound hostility to ethnic, religious and cultural diversity. Their aggressive rhetoric often fuels intolerance towards minorities by insinuating they are a danger to national identity or even national security, which can lead to a proliferation of hate crimes and racist attacks.   “In Europe, support for xenophobic parties has increased in recent elections, and they have gained seats in the government coalitions and parliaments of several countries,” said Eva Smith Asmussen of ECRI. “Governments often claim that there is no racism in their countries, but this is unfortunately often not the case. It is high time they opened their eyes and assumed responsibility for countering the intolerance manifested in bias such as anti-Gypsyism, antisemitism or Islamophobia.”   The heads of all three organisations called for greater efforts to combat racism and discrimination, and for more coordination among international governmental organisations to provide support to policy makers at a time when resources are limited and the challenges so significant. They also stressed the need for decision makers and civil society organisations to develop initiatives at the local level, as practitioners here are best placed to identify and meet the needs of migrant and minority populations.   * The United Nations designated 21 March the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 1966, in memory of the 69 people killed six years earlier in Sharpeville, South Africa, during a peaceful demonstration to protest the apartheid system.   http://fra.europa.eu/en/theme/racism-related-intolerances   http://fra.europa.eu/en/frp2013   * ‘The floor is yours‘ is an open space where European civil society organisations and participants share their ideas, projects and issues and discuss them with colleagues from across the European Union. It is a platform for discussion of issues that members believe are central to current fundamental rights debates, access the 6th Fundamental Rights Platform Meeting via the link below: http://fra.europa.eu/en/frp2013?tab=the-floor-is-yours#training%20on%20social,%20economic%20and%20cultural%20rights Visit the related web page
	The Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights by UN Office for Human Rights   Based on international human rights norms and standards, the Guiding Principles provide for the first time global policy guidelines focusing specifically on the human rights of people living in poverty.   They are intended as a practical tool for policy-makers to ensure that public policies (including poverty eradication efforts) reach the poorest members of society, respect and uphold their rights, and take into account the significant social, cultural, economic and structural obstacles to human rights enjoyment faced by persons living in poverty.   The Human Rights Council adopted the Guiding Principles at its 21st session in September 2012. The Principles can be accessed here:   http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/Pages/DGPIntroduction.aspx http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Development/Pages/PromotingHRbasedfinancialregulationmacroeconomicpolicies.aspx http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Development/Pages/NewsFeatureStoriesPromotingahumanrights.aspx Visit the related web page
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